5 ways to follow on Earth Day to save the Earth

Earth Day  was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in held on April 22, 1970.

Earth Day is now observed each year on April 22 in virtually every country on Earth. Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network. Its aim is to protect the Earth's environment.

Historically, our lawmakers have always been more concerned with the Gross National Product—maintaining economic growth at any cost. It’s funny that the environment should take a back seat to the economy.

1. Save Energy By Washing Your Laundry in Cold Water Only :  Almost all of the energy used by a washing machine goes towards heating the water, so by simply turning down the temperature, you can really make a dramatic impact on energy use. In fact, washing in cold water costs 5 to 10 times less than using warmer settings. 
2. Save Water By Using As Little Water Possible To Wash Your Dishes :  If, you don’t have a dishwasher or would rather wash by hand, try to assess how much water you’re currently using and see if there’s any way to cut back. If you wash by filling up the sink or wash bins, figure out how much water they hold and how many times per day you wash.  If you just wash under the running faucet, keep in mind that faucets use about 2 gallons per minute. Get more tips on washing dishes more efficiently. 
3. Save Waste and Water By Switching From Bottled to Filtered Water :  The bottled water industry is extremely wasteful. It involves millions of barrels of oil each year and the process actually wastes water. Since bottled water is often consumed on the go, most bottles do not actually end up getting recycled. So why not get yourself a filter and a reusable bottle and fill up from the cheapest and most convenient place — your faucet. 
4. Save Energy and Waste By Switching from Regular Batteries to Rechargeables :  Rechargeable batteries embody one of our favorite principles. While traditional batteries can only be used once, rechargeable batteries, as the name implies, can be used again and again. By using the same batteries over and over again, you cut back on the waste created by disposable batteries. When your rechargeables are eventually used up, though, it is important to recycle them. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, any batteries “can cause serious harm to human health and the environment if they are dis­carded with ordinary household or workplace waste.”  
5. Save Waste By Buying in Bulk :  Packaging has gotten a bit out of control these days. More and more we’re seeing items that are wrapped with layer upon layer of unnecessary materials. One way to combat that problem is to buy necessities in bulk. If it’s something you use a lot, it’s worth it to upgrade to a larger size or multi-pack. This tip isn’t just relegated to wholesale stores either, although that’s a good place to start. Bring your own containers to stores like Whole Foods, where you can buy items like beans and grains in bulk–and skip the packaging all together.